Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
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If you’re a fan of spicy, creamy, cheesy pasta with a kick, you’re going to love this Buffalo Chicken Pasta. It combines all the bold flavors of buffalo wings with tender pasta and creamy sauce for a quick, satisfying dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
By now you know how much we LOVE buffalo chicken anything. Buffalo chicken dip in the oven or Crock Pot buffalo chicken dip, buffalo wings, buffalo sliders, or buffalo chicken salad… you name it we’ve made it. One night I was craving pasta and spice, and this dish was born. It’s like if buffalo chicken dip and a cheesy pasta casserole had a baby (and didn’t require baking). The result? A crave-worthy buffalo chicken pasta that’s now on regular dinner rotation!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Penne Pasta – This short pasta holds the creamy sauce perfectly in every bite. You can swap with rotini, rigatoni, or shells if you prefer.
- Olive Oil – Used for sautéing the veggies. Butter or avocado oil are good alternatives.
- Diced Onion – A sweet or yellow onion works best for balance.
- Diced Celery – Gives a subtle crunch and classic buffalo flavor.
- Rotel – A combo of diced tomatoes and green chilies adds flavor, moisture, and mild heat. Substitute with regular diced tomatoes and a dash of hot sauce or jalapeños if needed.
- Cream Cheese, softened – Makes the sauce creamy and rich with a slight tang. Softened cream cheese blends best, so don’t skip this step!
- Buffalo Sauce – The star of the show! Use your favorite brand. Frank’s RedHot is a popular choice for that signature heat.
- Ranch Dressing – Adds creaminess and coolness to balance the spice. Blue cheese dressing is a great sub if you prefer a bolder flavor.
- Shredded Rotisserie Chicken – A quick protein option that keeps things easy and flavorful. You can also use leftover baked or grilled chicken.
Instructions
Here’s how to make your buffalo chicken penne:
Step 1 – Cook the Pasta. Boil penne pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2 – Sauté the Veggies. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add diced onion and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
Step 3 – Make the Base Sauce. Add the can of Rotel and softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and combines fully—no lumps!
Step 4 – Add the Buffalo & Ranch Flavor. Turn the heat to low. Stir in the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing, mixing until smooth and creamy.
Step 5 – Toss in Chicken & Pasta. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and the cooked pasta. Toss until fully coated and heated through.
Step 6 – Serve & Enjoy. Serve hot, garnished with green onions, parsley, or even crumbled blue cheese if you like a little extra flair!
Serving Suggestions
This spicy buffalo chicken pasta is bold and flavorful on its own, but here are a few perfect pairings:
- Celery sticks (classic nod to buffalo wings)
- Mixed green salad with ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Texas Toast Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks
- Roasted veggies like broccoli or Brussels sprouts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes! Rigatoni, shells, bowties, or rotini all work great.
Technically yes, but rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken will give better texture and flavor.
Frank’s RedHot is a go-to, but use your favorite. Some like it mild, others hot!
Absolutely—just make sure your skillet is large enough or transfer to a larger pot when mixing everything together.
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Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ cup Diced onion
- ½ cup Diced celery
- 10 ounces Rotel
- 4 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup Buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons Ranch dressing
- 8 ounces Shredded rotisserie chicken
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked drain water and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, diced onion, and celery to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until onion and celery are softened.
- Add the Rotel and cream cheese and stir until well mixed. Make sure there are no cream cheese lumps.
- Turn the heat to low and add the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing stirring them into the sauce.
- Add the shredded chicken and cooked pasta and stir until they are coated in sauce and the chicken is heated through.
- Serve hot.
Nutrition
